Today's Feature

Public Safety Committee Meeting.

The City Council Public Safety Committee met Monday evening in a regular session. Citizen Jackie Covey of Courtesy Bail Bonds was present at the meeting to request permission for an overhanging sign at the corner of Howard and 4th streets. The committee approved a motion to accept the sign, contingent on its meeting Public Works Department specifications.

The committee also approved a motion to allow a partial street closure for the 6th annual Carthage Acoustic Music Festival which will be held on Saturday, June 9 on the historic Carthage courthouse square. Festival organizer H.J. Johnson elaborated that previously the inside lane of the east side of the square is closed allowing room for the mobile stage to be set up, while the rest of the square is left open to traffic to encourage traffic at downtown businesses. Johnson requested the same partial closure for this year’s festival. The committee unanimously approved the partial closure.

Kellogg Lake and Nature Center Preserve board member Jo Ellis was also in attendance of the meeting to request a new ordinance that would help prohibit parking on the grass at Kellogg Lake Park. According to Ellis, the construction of parking lots has helped the situation, but some still park on the grass next to the picnic tables. Ellis said that the vehicle tires can cause ruts in the grass, and asked if an ordinance could be adopted to limit parking to the designated parking areas.

City Administrator Tom Short was present, and distributed to the committee a sample ordinance used in other communities which would limit parking to designated areas in all City parks. Short said that City Attorney Dally was in the process of reviewing the sample ordinance.

Committee chair Mike Harris said he felt the adoption of such an ordinance would be beneficial.

"I definitely see the need for it at Kellogg Lake," said Harris.

However, Harris did express concerns about the other City parks where there are not sufficient designated parking places.

Committee member Bill Welch inquired about the punishment for violating the ordinance. Police Chief Dennis Veach responded that typically the fine for violation of the ordinance would be similar to that of any City parking violation.

Veach added that his concern with adopting the ordinance for all parks was that it would become a burden on the Police Department’s limited manpower.

"I don’t want to be in a position where we have to have someone chasing people off the grass all day long," said Veach.

Parks Director Alan Bull said that he is also in the process of addressing the need for parking lots at some of the other parks, including Carter Park.

Though the committee took no action it was agreed that the consideration of the proposal would be continued at a later date.

No matter how much ya study somethin’, most likely there’s an angle someone has overlooked.

Honest discussion points out weakness in the other fella’s argument and gets folks ta thinkin’. Serious, open discussion is where ideas are tested and molded into constructive action. Opposing viewpoints should always be welcomed.

‘Course, I suppose there are those who don’t think so.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Here's A Tip
By JoAnn Derson

• S.W. in Arkansas writes: "Here’s an easy way to save money: When you write a check, always round it off to the nearest dollar when you record it in your check register. We can save up to $300 in no time using this method. It works great for those unexpected expenses like fixing a car or paying a co-payment if you have to go to the emergency room."

• For a tasty, leaner meatloaf, follow these cooking directions from Ms. M.B. of Massachusetts: "Spray pan and line bottom of pan with sliced bread. Place the meatloaf on top of the bread. When it’s done, all the grease is on the bread and not on the meat."

• Two sewing tips from "Seamstress" in New York: "If you are working with a very thick, stiff fabric, rub petroleum jelly between your thumb and forefinger, then slide your fingers over your needle. The jelly will lube the needle just enough to slide through the fabric. Also, check out thrift and secondhand stores for great buttons. The garment doesn’t have to be good-looking if you are just going to pirate the buttons."

• "You mentioned bacteria on the computer keyboard, but how about bacteria on the shopping carts at the local store? I carry small packs of alcohol swabs, and I clean the handle before even touching it." -- D.E. in California